Former House Minority Leader Matt Entenza made a last minute filing on Tuesday to run for state auditor against fellow DFLer Rebecca Otto.

Seifert, who joined the gubernatorial contest in late November, nabbed 28 percent of the precinct vote to lead all comers.

Dayton said he supports Nobles' instincts to examine the contracts, and called an audit "highly appropriate."

Gov. Mark Dayton sent a harsh letter to IBM in December, which faulted the tech company for failures with MNsure's website.

Attorney Erick Kaardal said the misuse of taxpayer funds amounted to an ongoing "injury" to his clients.

The politeness that has prevailed in the early stages of the CD 6 GOP race may have come to an end this week, when candidate Phil Krinkie fired the first volley aimed directly at a fellow Republican: frontrunner Tom Emmer.

The decision to import steel has been the subject of criticism, not least from former legislator and Iron Range DFL stalwart Tom Rukavina.

In Minnesota political circles, Phil Krinkie is best known as one of the state’s most prominent fiscal conservatives. But his day job for more than 30 years was in the customer service business. Krinkie said he plans to bring that customer-service mindset to his campaign in the 6th Congressional District, referring repeatedly to himself as ready to be “hired” to represent the district’s constituents.

John Pederson is depending on geography to give him an edge in the competitive Republican field to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann. Pederson hails from St. Cloud, and he says that gives him an edge.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development this year got an infusion of money from state lawmakers for a variety of economic development programs. And since the money became available on July 1, the money has been flowing to companies and local governments for a variety of business expansions.